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5 Reasons Why There’s Something Very Special About ‘Something Rotten!’

If there’s one thing that you should absolutely do in Phillythis week, it’s go see the Broadway smash–and Tony Award winning!!–Something Rotten!, which kicks off its week-long run at the Academy of Music tonight through this Sunday, March 4th.

Set in 1595, the story trails along with Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who hilariously struggle to find success in the theatrical world, competing with the likes of their contemporary frenemy, William Shakespeare. A roaring romp from start to finish, Something Rotten! has acquired praise from across the globe with the Gazette spilling, “You couldn’t ask for a sillier more satisfying show for theater nerds and anyone who loves shows packed with elaborate dance numbers, double entendres and energy to spare.”

And there’s even some that are saying (perhaps the actors themselves?) that Something Rotten! “….is the funniest show in over 400 years.” While it’s easy to go on and on about Broadway’s daring Tony darling of a show, you must see it for yourself at the Academy of Musicthis week.

But first, here’s 5 reasons why–along with some truly fabulous clips!!–as to why there’s just something very, very special about Broadway’s Something Rotten!

1. It was destined to be a hit right from the very beginning…. Originally conceived as an idea conjured up by brothers Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick in the 1990s, the Broadway bound siblings eventually teamed up with composer John O’Farrell to write a few songs and a produce a stage treatment, which soon made their way to acclaimed producer Kevin McCollum in 2010. Although Something Rotten! was expected to have a pre-Broadway trial in Seattle in spring 2015, McCollum felt confident enough that he had a bona fide smash on his creative hands that he opted to open the show without the Seattle tryout when a Broadway theatre became available. And well, the rest is certainly stage history as the show officially opened in NYC on April 22nd, 2015 to rave reviews and of course eventually…..all of those Tony nominations (10to be exact) with the national tour soon following two years later. And the continuing of the Rotten journey is the reason why you should absolutely catch this wonderful show while it’s in the city until this Sunday.

2.The cast is all about the Broadway and Philly love…and marriage! Perhaps one of the best parts about the national tour of Something Rotten!(besides, well, all of it) is that three of its leads are all critically acclaimed theater connoisseurs along with being featured on the show’s original Broadway run. Yes, Rob McClure (Nick Bottom), Josh Grisetti (Nigel Bottom) and Adam Pascal (Shakespeare) have taken the Great White Way by storm and are guaranteed more than ready to serve Philly with their tremendous talents all week-long.

And as lucky love would have it, Mr. McClure gets to be married to lead Rottenactress Maggie Lakis (Nick’s equally hilarious wife, Bea) both on and off the stage! And you’re going to love this…..both Rob and Maggie are from Philly and got engaged right on stage at the Forrest Theatre back in 2008! And while we may not know just how they make it all work since marriage is also a high-profile job in itself, but we’re guessing the hijinks that ensue in this Mr. McClure’s hilariously helmed backstage video might just have something to do with it. Check it out and then get those tickets…now.

3.It’s got all of the delightful Broadway tunes you need in your life right now…. From the jazzed up opening number, “Welcome to the Renaissance” to “God, I Hate Shakespeare” to fan favorite, “A Musical,” not only does this spectacular stage spectacle have all of the eardrum grabbin,’ toe tappin’ music you could ever want from a Broadway show, but it all adds up to what’s sure to be a fabulous night out in Philly for you and yours this week. No further statements.

4.Or how about….. that time “Hard to Be the Bard” took over the White House?? Priceless.

5.Do you really need another reason after that? Absolutely not! So, get those tickets (right here!) before you feel absolutely rotten about missing the critically acclaimed Something Rotten! at the Academy of Music this week.